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Traveling by Jeep, boat and foot, Tribune-Review investigative reporter Carl Prine and photojournalist Justin Merriman covered nearly 2,000 miles over two months along the border with Mexico to report on coyotes — the human traffickers who bring illegal immigrants into the United States. Most are Americans working for money and/or drugs. This series reports how their operations have a major impact on life for residents and the environment along the border — and beyond.

By The Associated Press

Thursday, July 11, 2013, 9:54 p.m.

Star forward Ilya Kovalchuk stunned the Devils on Thursday, retiring from the NHL to return to his native Russia.

The 30-year-old walked away from the $77 million that was left on the 15-year contract he signed with New Jersey in 2010, including guaranteed annual salaries of at least $11 million over the next four seasons.

The Devils announced the news Thursday afternoon, saying Kovalchuk alerted Lou Lamoriello, the team's president and general manager, earlier this year that he wanted to return home to Russia with his family after 11 seasons in the NHL.

“This wasn't a decision made by the New Jersey Devils,” a testy Lamoriello said at the end of a conference call with reporters less than an hour after the retirement was announced.

Lamoriello refused to disclose anything about his conversations with Kovalchuk relating to the surprising retirement.

He also didn't clarify whether Kovalchuk planned to play in Russia's KHL next season — as is expected — or whether the Devils would retain his rights if he reconsidered his retirement, deferring to the NHL.

“All I know is that he will not be playing here at his desire,” said Lamoriello, who built the Devils' three Stanley Cup championship teams and had hoped Kovalchuk would be the centerpiece of a fourth.

Lamoriello said Kovalchuk's retirement wasn't related to anything physical. The forward had back problems during the 2011-12 season and missed 11 games this year because of a shoulder injury.

“This decision was something I have thought about for a long time going back to the lockout and spending the year in Russia,” Kovalchuk, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, said in a statement. “Though I decided to return this past season, Lou was aware of my desire to go back home and have my family there with me. The most difficult thing for me is to leave the New Jersey Devils.”

Kovalchuk was to earn $11.3 million in each of the next two seasons and $56 million over the next five years. Lamoriello said Kovalchuk didn't receive a signing bonus, so the team isn't seeking to recover any money from him.

“I am never surprised about anything that happens in this game today,” Lamoriello said.

Kovalchuk spent his last four seasons with the Devils. His best was the 2011-12 campaign in which he scored 37 goals. He had 11 goals in 37 games this past season.

Kovalchuk scored 417 goals and 399 assists in 816 career NHL games. His best seasons were 2005-06 and 2007-08 when he scored a career-high 52 goals. He had three other 40-goal seasons.

• The Coyotes signed center Tim Kennedy to a one-year, two-way contract. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. In parts of five NHL seasons with San Jose, Florida, and Buffalo, he has 13 goals and 18 assists.

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